Santa Womble - The Second Stocking - Thrillers

So now you’ve had the first novella present a little like picking up a fine shiny toy, now lets open the next present. This one is about getting your heart racing, your palms sweaty and your mind whirring - thrillers!

Conviction by Denise Mina - A wonderfully smart tale that mixes true crime podcasts, a potential ghost story and an unsolved crime with some compelling lead characters with a lot of secrets. Engrossing and very memorable.

Keep Him Close by Emily Koch - A highly unusual but smart thriller about two mothers who couldn’t be more different thrust together in a moment of grief. Thrillers that explore the victims of crime and the concept of mercy are rare. This was a brilliant read.

Masquerade for Murder by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins - if you fancy a tale of mean streets and a white night on them then you can’t go wrong with this entertaining tale of a gumshoe taking on a smart business man.

Making Wolf by Tade Thompson - a tale of a man findings a new life for himself in a fictional African country, politics, redemption and revenge all pay a role in this tale where morality stays firmly grey.

From the Shadows by G R Halliday - A new detective arrives in our midst taking us on a strange journey into the Scottish Highlands that blurs the boundaries of crime and horror.

Don't Turn Around by Jessica Barry - a woman flees into the night with her only companion a strange driver who specialises in drives like this and they’re being pursued. Secrets, revelations and some smart commentary on US politics and the rights of women.

She Lies Close by Sharon Doering - one of my favourite unlikeable characters again a tale exploring the aftermath of a crime and a study in someone dealing with the pressures of life. Compelling.

Next time - Anthologies